Paxton Lynch will start and play the entire game Thursday Night

According to NFL Network's James Palmer, Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch will start and play the entire game Thursday night in the Broncos preseason finale.

Gary Kubiak plans to play Paxton Lynch the entire game on Thursday. Lynch needs the reps and Kubiak knows what Sanchez can do.

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 29, 2016

Trevor Siemian won't play Thursday night against the Cardinals after being named the starting quarterback earlier today by Head Coach Gary Kubiak.

As for Lynch, he needs every live rep he can get so he can continue to develop as a player. After two successful preseason games to start his NFL career, Lynch didn't look all that great on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Rams. Now on Thursday night Lynch will need to show the Broncos coaches that he is taking a step forward and is ready to take over during the season if needed.

Lynch will likely be playing with guys like Kapri Bibbs, Ronnie Hillman, Jordan Taylor, Henry Kreiger-Coble, Mose Fraizer, and other offensive players who are trying to earn a spot on the 53-man roster or on the Broncos 10-man Practice Squad.

This news also keeps veteran Mark Sanchez in a state of limbo. He was the assumed starter heading into camp but quickly fell out of favor. He was demoted to the second team during the second week of the preseason and didn't play at all on Saturday night. Now there are rumors that the Broncos are looking to trade the veteran and even release him if they cannot find a trade partner. I expect someone to be Lynch's backup on Thursday night, but that guy likely will not be Mark Sanchez.